NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIII, Issue IX, 26 August 1899, Page 26

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

The farce—or tragedy—of the Dreyfus court-martial trial still drags along, enlivened by very French “sensational incidents” and “scenes in court,” which are proved to have been rehearsed. Piequart has given important evidence. There is an evident determination to ignore the overwhelming masses of evidence of Dreyfus’ innocence and find him guilty at any cost.

Affairs are blacker than ever at the Transvaal. At the time of going to press war seems more imminent than ever, but good judges think it is the last attempt at bluff on the part of the Boers.

Surly miners entombed by a colliery ex| • .ion in North Wales have been rescued.

In unveiling a monument at Graveslotte the Kaiser paid a tribute to- the French heroes who, after a severe fight, were so heavily defeated there. The German Emperor has allowed Captain Parker and eleven of the crew of his yacht, the Meteor, to join the Shamrock for the Cup competition. The yacht Shamrock, Sir Thomas Lipton’s challenger, has arrived at New York from England to compete for the America Cup. Edison prophecies that in ten years horseless carriages will be the rule, and horse-propelled vehicles the exception.

German newspapers assert that Dreyfus is innocent. A mosquito plague is reported from Hackney, London. Bush felling is going on in all directions in the Waingaro district, between Ngaruawahia and the West Coast, and a large area of new land will be put in grass this season. Mr John Stevenson, railway stationmaster at Auckland, has resigned his position rather than comply with an order of transfer to the Bluff.

A movement is being made by leading prohibitionists with a view to presenting Sir Robert Stout with a

testimonial in recognition of bis past services in the cause of temperance.

An unsuccessful search has been made for the bodies of the four young men belonging to the oyster cutter Willie Winkle, who have been drowned near Coromandel.

The Parihaka natives, Taranaki, are considering the question of installing electric light in the township. Te Whiti and Tohu are both in favour of the project.

The present population of the Government estate of Opouriao. at Whakatane, numbers 199 souls. The season this year so far has been a prosperous one, and the maize yield is estimated at some SO,(MH) bushels. This together with wool and other products should give a gross return of some £ 8,000from the estate for the year.

An oil-painting of great historic interest, representing Capts. Cook’s and Furneaux's exploring ships Adventure and Resolution, off Cape Palliser in 1773, the artist being Capt. M. T. Clayton, of Auckland, has been generously presented to the Auckland Art Gallery by Mr Wm. Aitken

The present (says the “Kaikoura Star”) has been an unprofitable whal- - ing season so far, not a single “kill” having been made; in fact, the crews have only once or twice given chase. Whales are either scarce, or are giving Kaikonra Peninsula a wide berth. The weather has doubtless militated against whaling operations.

The s.s. Waikare has returned. Sha had favourable weather throughout, excepting when nearing Norfolk Island, a cyclonic gale necessitating abandonment of the visit to the Island. A call was made at the Isle of

Pines. Many passengers visited Tanna. The volcano was in active eruption, and was a magnificent spectacle. The third officer (Mr Evans) and a passenger named White were left at Noumea suffering from influenza. Before reaching Sydney the captain and officers were congratulated on the success of the trip, and the former was presented with a testimonial. —"